Biography

Selected in the third round (84th overall) of the 2011 NFL Draft by the Buccaneers.

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

Owns most career tackles among players who entered the league in 2011. Led his class in both 2011 and 2012. Finished second in 2013 despite missing a game.

Led NFL rookies in tackles with 126, the third-most ever by a Buccaneers rookie (Hugh Green, Lavonte David).

Made NFL debut vs. Detroit (9/11/11).

Made first NFL start at middle linebacker at Minnesota (9/18/11) and recorded a team-high 13 tackles, including one for loss, and his first career sack and forced fumble.

Finalist for Pepsi Rookie of the Week following Week 2 performance at Minnesota.

Registered first NFL fumble recovery at San Francisco (10/9/11).

Grabbed first career interception at Jacksonville (12/11/11).

Tallied career-high two sacks at New York Jets (9/8/13), one of which tied a franchise record of -18 yards.

Intercepted Drew Brees of New Orleans (9/15/13) and returned it 85 yards for first career touchdown, the third-longest in Buccaneers history.

One of only nine players in team history to have multiple interceptions returned for a touchdown in the same season (2013). He joined Derrick Brooks (2002) and Hugh Green (1983) as the only linebackers in club annals to accomplish the feat.

His 122 interception return yards in 2013 are the second-most in a single-season by a linebacker in team history (Brooks, 2002 - 218).

2013 HIGHLIGHTS

One of 10 NFL players to have 90+ tackles, 2+ sacks and 3+ interceptions, and one of two of those 10 with two touchdowns.

Two interception returns for touchdowns tied for the NFL lead.

His 122 interception return yards were the sixth-most in the NFL and the second-most in a season by a Buccaneers linebacker, trailing only Derrick Brooks’ 218 in 2002.

Started at New York Jets (9/8), recording eight tackles, including one for loss, a career-high two sacks and one forced fumble. Sack for -18 yards tied a Buccaneers record. Forced fumble was recovered by the Buccaneers at Jets 5-yard line and led to a touchdown on the ensuing play.

Against New Orleans (9/15), posted seven tackles, two passes defensed and an interception of Drew Brees, which he returned 85 yards for a touchdown. It was the third-longest interception return in Buccaneers history and his first career touchdown.

Recorded eight tackles at New England (9/22).

Posted five tackles, including one for loss, and a pass defensed vs. Arizona (9/29).

Registered five tackles and a pass defensed vs. Philadelphia (10/13).

Notched four tackles at Atlanta (10/20).

Recorded five tackles vs. Carolina (10/24).

Registered four tackles at Seattle (11/3).

Collected six tackles, including two for loss, vs. Miami (11/11). Played an integral role in Buccaneers run defense that allowed a franchise-record two rushing yards.

Intercepted Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan and returned it 37 yards for a touchdown vs. Atlanta (11/17).

Missed first game of his career at Detroit (11/24).

Returned to action at Carolina (12/1) and notched nine tackles.

Led team with nine tackles and recorded one interception vs. Buffalo (12/8).

Collected seven tackles vs. San Francisco (12/15).

Notched seven tackles, including two for loss, at St. Louis (12/22).

Tallied three tackles and a pass defensed at New Orleans (12/29).

COLLEGE

Started 41-of-50 games at Washington (2007-10), totaling 378 tackles, including 241 solo tackles, 38.5 TFL, 10.5 sacks, 15 passes defensed, eight forced fumbles, four fumble recoveries, one blocked kick, and four interceptions, including one for a touchdown.

Served as a team captain in 2010, starting all 13 games.

His 163 tackles in 2010 ranked first in the Pac-10 and second in the nation, while his career 378 tackles rank him eighth in Washington history.

Named Defensive MVP of the 2010 Holiday Bowl win over Nebraska with 12 total tackles, including 3.0 tackles for loss and 2.0 sacks.

Invited to play in the 2011 Senior Bowl.

Named first-team All-America by Scout.com and Rivals.com, in addition to being named first-team All-Pac-10 and Associated Press third-team honors his senior season.

Set a school record and led the Pac-10 with six forced fumbles in 2009, the third-most in the nation.

Named the Huskies’ Defensive MVP as a sophomore, after leading the Pac-10 in tackles per game with 8.75 and earning Washington defensive player of the week honors four times throughout the season.

One of seven true freshmen to see action in 2007, playing in all 13 games and starting four.

Majored in American ethnic studies.

COMMUNITY

In June 2013, participated in the team’s “Cut for a Cure” charity challenge, having his head shaved by pediatric cancer patients to support the Pediatric Cancer Foundation.

Led students through football drills and promoted the importance of health and fitness for the opening of the BUCS CARE School Fitness Zone at Sulphur Springs Elementary in December 2012.

Signed autographs and interacted with fans during the team’s annual Kickoff Party, presented by Miller Lite, in September 2011.

Joined Buccaneers teammates and more than 100 UnitedHealthcare employees to pack food boxes at Feeding America Tampa Bay in September 2011 and December 2012.

Helped teach football drills and spoke on the importance of living a healthy lifestyle to South London school students in October 2011.

Greeted fans at the International Series Fan Rally event at Trafalgar Square, London in October 2011.

Distributed candy, signed autographs and played games with over 700 underprivileged children at Lowry Park Zoo for the team’s annual Halloween Celebration in October 2011.

Visited patients at All Children’s Hospital and sang Christmas carols to residents of Westminster Palms Retirement Home in December 2011.

PERSONAL

Attended Seaside High School (Seaside, California).

In 2006, led Seaside to a 12-1 overall record, 5-0 league record, Monterey Bay league title and CIF Central Coast Section small school state championship.

Played linebacker, picking up quarterback duties midway through his senior season and finishing the year having completed 68-of-105 passes for 951 yards and 12 touchdowns, 105 carries for 657 yards and 11 touchdowns, one receiving touchdown, 158 tackles, 8.0 sacks and five interceptions.

Named the Monterey County player of the year by the Monterey Herald, defensive player of the year by the Salinas Californian, an All-Central Coast Section first-team linebacker by the San Jose Mercury News, and CalHiSports all-state first-team in 2006.

Son of William and Margarette Foster.

Born Mason Foster on March 1, 1989, in Seaside, California.

ACQUIRED BY BUCS

Selected in the third round (84th overall) of the 2011 NFL Draft by the Buccaneers.

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

Owns most career tackles among players who entered the league in 2011. Led his class in both 2011 and 2012. Finished second in 2013 despite missing a game.

Led NFL rookies in tackles with 126, the third-most ever by a Buccaneers rookie (Hugh Green, Lavonte David).

Made NFL debut vs. Detroit (9/11/11).

Made first NFL start at middle linebacker at Minnesota (9/18/11) and recorded a team-high 13 tackles, including one for loss, and his first career sack and forced fumble.

Finalist for Pepsi Rookie of the Week following Week 2 performance at Minnesota.

Registered first NFL fumble recovery at San Francisco (10/9/11).

Grabbed first career interception at Jacksonville (12/11/11).

Tallied career-high two sacks at New York Jets (9/8/13), one of which tied a franchise record of -18 yards.

Intercepted Drew Brees of New Orleans (9/15/13) and returned it 85 yards for first career touchdown, the third-longest in Buccaneers history.

One of only nine players in team history to have multiple interceptions returned for a touchdown in the same season (2013). He joined Derrick Brooks (2002) and Hugh Green (1983) as the only linebackers in club annals to accomplish the feat.

His 122 interception return yards in 2013 are the second-most in a single-season by a linebacker in team history (Brooks, 2002 - 218).

2013 HIGHLIGHTS

One of 10 NFL players to have 90+ tackles, 2+ sacks and 3+ interceptions, and one of two of those 10 with two touchdowns.

Two interception returns for touchdowns tied for the NFL lead.

His 122 interception return yards were the sixth-most in the NFL and the second-most in a season by a Buccaneers linebacker, trailing only Derrick Brooks’ 218 in 2002.

Started at New York Jets (9/8), recording eight tackles, including one for loss, a career-high two sacks and one forced fumble. Sack for -18 yards tied a Buccaneers record. Forced fumble was recovered by the Buccaneers at Jets 5-yard line and led to a touchdown on the ensuing play.

Against New Orleans (9/15), posted seven tackles, two passes defensed and an interception of Drew Brees, which he returned 85 yards for a touchdown. It was the third-longest interception return in Buccaneers history and his first career touchdown.

Recorded eight tackles at New England (9/22).

Posted five tackles, including one for loss, and a pass defensed vs. Arizona (9/29).

Registered five tackles and a pass defensed vs. Philadelphia (10/13).

Notched four tackles at Atlanta (10/20).

Recorded five tackles vs. Carolina (10/24).

Registered four tackles at Seattle (11/3).

Collected six tackles, including two for loss, vs. Miami (11/11). Played an integral role in Buccaneers run defense that allowed a franchise-record two rushing yards.

Intercepted Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan and returned it 37 yards for a touchdown vs. Atlanta (11/17).

Missed first game of his career at Detroit (11/24).

Returned to action at Carolina (12/1) and notched nine tackles.

Led team with nine tackles and recorded one interception vs. Buffalo (12/8).

Collected seven tackles vs. San Francisco (12/15).

Notched seven tackles, including two for loss, at St. Louis (12/22).

Tallied three tackles and a pass defensed at New Orleans (12/29).

COLLEGE

Started 41-of-50 games at Washington (2007-10), totaling 378 tackles, including 241 solo tackles, 38.5 TFL, 10.5 sacks, 15 passes defensed, eight forced fumbles, four fumble recoveries, one blocked kick, and four interceptions, including one for a touchdown.

Served as a team captain in 2010, starting all 13 games.

His 163 tackles in 2010 ranked first in the Pac-10 and second in the nation, while his career 378 tackles rank him eighth in Washington history.

Named Defensive MVP of the 2010 Holiday Bowl win over Nebraska with 12 total tackles, including 3.0 tackles for loss and 2.0 sacks.

Invited to play in the 2011 Senior Bowl.

Named first-team All-America by Scout.com and Rivals.com, in addition to being named first-team All-Pac-10 and Associated Press third-team honors his senior season.

Set a school record and led the Pac-10 with six forced fumbles in 2009, the third-most in the nation.

Named the Huskies’ Defensive MVP as a sophomore, after leading the Pac-10 in tackles per game with 8.75 and earning Washington defensive player of the week honors four times throughout the season.

One of seven true freshmen to see action in 2007, playing in all 13 games and starting four.

Majored in American ethnic studies.

COMMUNITY

In June 2013, participated in the team’s “Cut for a Cure” charity challenge, having his head shaved by pediatric cancer patients to support the Pediatric Cancer Foundation.

Led students through football drills and promoted the importance of health and fitness for the opening of the BUCS CARE School Fitness Zone at Sulphur Springs Elementary in December 2012.

Signed autographs and interacted with fans during the team’s annual Kickoff Party, presented by Miller Lite, in September 2011.

Joined Buccaneers teammates and more than 100 UnitedHealthcare employees to pack food boxes at Feeding America Tampa Bay in September 2011 and December 2012.

Helped teach football drills and spoke on the importance of living a healthy lifestyle to South London school students in October 2011.

Greeted fans at the International Series Fan Rally event at Trafalgar Square, London in October 2011.

Distributed candy, signed autographs and played games with over 700 underprivileged children at Lowry Park Zoo for the team’s annual Halloween Celebration in October 2011.

Visited patients at All Children’s Hospital and sang Christmas carols to residents of Westminster Palms Retirement Home in December 2011.

PERSONAL

Attended Seaside High School (Seaside, California).

In 2006, led Seaside to a 12-1 overall record, 5-0 league record, Monterey Bay league title and CIF Central Coast Section small school state championship.

Played linebacker, picking up quarterback duties midway through his senior season and finishing the year having completed 68-of-105 passes for 951 yards and 12 touchdowns, 105 carries for 657 yards and 11 touchdowns, one receiving touchdown, 158 tackles, 8.0 sacks and five interceptions.

Named the Monterey County player of the year by the Monterey Herald, defensive player of the year by the Salinas Californian, an All-Central Coast Section first-team linebacker by the San Jose Mercury News, and CalHiSports all-state first-team in 2006.